Maxwell Brett Lawson, age 35, died from a stab wound to the back inflicted by Luke Blanchfield during an altercation at Blanchfield's home in Belgrave on 10 March 2024. Lawson attended the property to confront Blanchfield and retrieve belongings for friends, carrying a telescopic metal vacuum pipe. Blanchfield armed himself with a kitchen knife and stabbed Lawson during a physical altercation. The coroner found the death was entirely preventable. Contributing factors included Lawson's use of methylamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol (BAC 0.14), combined with sleep deprivation, which likely impaired judgment. The presence of weapons significantly escalated risk. While Blanchfield claimed self-defence, the coroner found no systemic issues requiring recommendations but noted the death resulted from aggression and weapon use in a domestic dispute.
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